There were 142 COVID-19 vaccinations given out at the civic center on Friday, which was our highest daily total over the past few months. Vaccinations are being offered from 8-11 a.m. again this Friday at the civic center, 4012 National Parks Highway. Vaccinations are also being offered this week at the Downtown Farmer’s Market, “Third Thursdays.”
As reported, the New Mexico Department of Health has moved its COVID-19 testing to the civic center on Monday as well. Testing will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the front parking lot. We are receiving calls from people asking about a vaccine booster shot. As of now, booster shots have yet to be approved, through individuals with certain medical conditions have been authorized to receive a third vaccine dose.
Carlsbad Medical reports a 17% positivity rate for COVID-19 tests administered over the weekend. There were a total of 32 positives of 183 tests administered. On Monday, Carlsbad Medical Center reported 20 COVID-19 inpatients, which is the most that the hospital has ever had, including five in the ICU. Please keep these individuals in your prayers.
Our Huey helicopter is receiving quite a bit of attention at the national level. This week, we had a resident from a city in Kentucky contact and ask us for photos and information about the installation of the Vietnam-era helicopter at the Carlsbad Veterans Memorial Park. Apparently, their own community is working on a similar project. If you’ve never visited the Carlsbad Veterans Memorial Park – it’s off James Street near Lower Tansil Dam.
The Firefighter Combat Challenge is back in action. The Combat Challenge is coming to downtown Carlsbad on Oct. 1 and 2. The event draws competitive firefighter teams from around the country and even the world. At least one team from the Carlsbad Fire Department is already committed to compete, and we expect several more. JD and the Badlands, Groupo Veneno and Mark Powell will also be performing. Carlsbad MainStreet is organizing this outstanding event.
A meeting of the Carlsbad Brine Well Remediation Authority is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sept. 21- this meeting is being held online and over the telephone. A preliminary agenda for this public meeting is posted on the State of New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department web page https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/carlsbad-brine-wellremediation-authority/meetings. Login information is also available on the web page. The Brine Well Authority must promptly approve returning to the remediation process as quickly as possible. There have been far too many delays in this process.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway